Colors
of Spring
in theFlint Hills
- Part 1(Click on image for
larger view)

What a difference in contrast
some sixty days can reveal during Spring in the Kansas Flint
Hills. On April 17, 2005, we trekked around the back roads in mostly
Wabaunsee County and found that Spring had sprung, but the wildflowers were
barely showing and some ranchers were just completing their pasture burn-offs.
While Upland Sandpipers and other similar birds had arrived, the touch of Winter
was just a tad bit still in the air. In any case, I like colors and the
following is a compilation of two separate days and months during Spring 2005 in the
Flint Hills.

Ton and tons of stones and
rocks that one never sees beneath the grasses during the Summer and Fall, but
are revealed during early Spring and late Winter.

Then on June 12, 2005, beneath mostly cloudy skies and a storm off in the
Southwest distance, the road sides seemed to be abundant with flowers and the
blue stem grasses were tall and blowing in the wind. It didn't take long
to soon discover that the most prevalent was the Butterfly Milkweed.
Usually in large clusters in the open fields, but also among the rocks and
intersections of the gravel-dirt roads. On this particular Sunday we were
also fortunate to find in those clusters, numerous butterflies and a Hummngbird
Clearwing.